The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan)

Chapter 513

Petra couldn't shake the need to confront Ronan about why he had clammed up when he saw her the

day before. A real brainiac, Petra was known for her meticulous nature, which often bordered on

pettiness when she zeroed in on an issue.

Finding Ronan's car absent below, she decided to pop upstairs for a quick peek, only to find Harold

engrossed in a novel in Cordelia's study.

"Where's Ms. Haselwood?" Petra inquired, her gaze wandering as she surveyed the living room, with

its assortment of trinkets and the prominently displayed "Research Project" on the computer screen

that captured her interest.

"Oh, someone took Ms. Haselwood out to lunch. She's not in. Were you looking for her for something?"

Harold muttered, only half-attentive as he snapped pictures with his phone.

"No, no big deal. Just wanted to see if she was around, maybe grab a bite to eat together," Petra

replied, her mind already racing with schemes as she eyed Cordelia's research topic.

Cordelia's computer sat on the coffee table in the living room, visible from Harold's vantage point only

through the reflection in a dressing mirror. While Harold was oblivious to Petra's movements, she had a

clear view of him. Swiftly, Petra forwarded the research project to her own email and then deleted it

from Cordelia's computer. She wiped her browsing history clean and returned everything to its original

state.

"Well, since Ms. Haselwood isn't here, I guess I'll head out," Petra announced before making her exit.

Harold grunted a slow acknowledgment. He locked up after photographing over a hundred pages of

notes, then left.

At the bistro.

"So Cordelia, what's the real story with Ronan? You guys seemed solid, and then suddenly..." Emerson

said, genuine regret tingeing his voice.

"Let's leave the past in the past. I don't want to talk about it," Cordelia replied, her fingers tracing the

rim of her teacup delicately. She feared Ronan's ruthless streak and felt unsettled by Alana, who was

like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.

"Look, if Ronan still has feelings for you, why not just give him a chance? This whole mess isn't good

for the kid either, don't you think?" Normally, Emerson was all jokes and grins, but today, with just

Cordelia for company, he sounded more sincere.

"He's interested?" Cordelia scoffed. "So interested that he's rushing to remarry?"

"That? Oh, that wasn't his doing. You gave him the cold shoulder, and he got mad and refused to pull Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

the ad. If you guys don't patch things up, with his prospects, he won't be lacking for options," Emerson

pointed out.

"Let's just eat," Cordelia said, closing the topic.

After lunch, Emerson dropped Cordelia off at Unity Hall and headed back to his hotel. However, once

back, he dialed Ronan.

"Ronan, Cordelia's suggesting she should have first dibs if you're seriously considering marriage. After

all, she is the mother of your child. She's worried you might end up with some young thing who won't

have the patience for a kid. She's thinking maybe she should be at the top of your list. What do you

say?"

"Did she really say that?" Ronan asked, clearly skeptical.

"Yeah, women will do anything for their kids. And since you won't let her have the kid, she's scared. So

she's asking for priority," Emerson explained.

"You didn't mention the marriage ad was someone else's doing, did you?" Ronan pressed.

"Come on, what kind of guy do you take me for? I wouldn't spill the beans on that," Emerson protested,

looking wronged.

"Aren't you always the blabbermouth?" Ronan seemed to be in good spirits, even teasing Emerson.

Emerson could only sigh. His trip to Birchwood was turning out to be quite unnecessary, all in the name

of playing matchmaker for Ronan and Cordelia.